Can dogs or cats eat cranberries?
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Can dogs eat cranberries?
Yes, dogs can eat unsweetened fresh or dried cranberries in moderation.
Cranberries are a superfood filled with antioxidants, high levels of vitamin C, fibre, and manganese—all beneficial nutrients that can help support your dog's overall health. The fruit also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help promote healthy urinary tract function.
However, there's a downside. While cranberries themselves are generally safe for dogs to eat, the commercial products that you're used to — you know, the ones that are packed with sugar or artificial sweeteners to soften the tart taste — are decidedly unhealthy for dogs. The artificial sweetener xylitol is toxic to dogs, for example. So while it may be safe to feed your dog plain cranberries, cranberry-based products like sweetened juice or muffins are a no-go.
If you do have a pup who's oddly enthusiastic about plain, sour cranberries, you shouldn't let them eat too many at once, as overfeeding them cranberries could cause digestive problems. Moderation is key!
As always, before introducing a new food item into your pet's diet, consult your vet first. If your dog eats cranberries (or any food) and is showing signs of illness such as lethargy, diarrhoea, or vomiting, reach out to your veterinarian immediately. If your pet requires veterinary care due to something they ate, dog insurancecan help cover the cost of treatment.
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Can cats eat cranberries?
Yes, cranberries are safe for cats to eat in moderation — but only the unsweetened kind.
Cranberries have some health benefits for cats, thanks to their high levels of vitamins A, B1, B2, C and E. They also have antioxidants, which can help boost your cat's immune system while reducing inflammation throughout their body. Cranberries may even help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) by preventing harmful bacteria from sticking to the walls of your cat's bladder.
With all that said, your feline friend should never eat commercial cranberry products with sugars or artificial sweeteners, as these are extremely unhealthy for cats. So, while it may be safe to feed your cat plain fresh or dried cranberries, cranberry-based products like sweetened juice or muffins are off the menu.
If you do feed your cat plain cranberries, you should only do so in small quantities as a very occasional snack. And keep in mind, cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need to get most of their nutrients from meat-based foods. Plant-based foods should never displace the meat in their diet.
As always, before introducing a new food item into your pet's diet, consult with your veterinarian first! If your cat eats cranberries (or any food) and is showing signs of illness such as lethargy, diarrhoea, or vomiting, reach out to your veterinarian immediately. If your pet requires veterinary care due to something they ate, cat insurance can help cover the cost of treatment.
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Information purposes only
The suggestions offered here are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for pet-specific advice from your veterinarian. Never disregard your vet’s recommendations, or delay in acting on them, based on something you have read on this site. Regardless of how a food is rated here, any food that you give your pet can pose potential health risks, including allergic reactions, choking, or other health conditions such as bloat. Always monitor your pet while they’re eating, and never introduce a new food into your pet’s diet without first consulting your veterinarian.
Pet poison emergency protocol
If your pet is acting sick, call your regular veterinarian immediately. If your regular veterinarian is closed, call a nearby on-call veterinarian, animal urgent care, or veterinary emergency hospital. If your pet is not acting sick but you think they may have been exposed to a poison, call the Animal Poison Line (01202 50 9000).
Food safety statuses
Could be given almost daily without harm
Not toxic, but should not be given regularly
Toxic or simply too risky to give to your pet